To evaluate the impact of truncal versus terminal branch ligature of the inferior thyroid artery (ITA) on postoperative calcium and PTH plasma levels in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter.

A prospective randomized study was performed comparing a group of patients that underwent either truncal ligature of the ITA (group 1) or terminal ligature of ITA branches (group 2).

A series of 126 consecutive patients with non-toxic euthyroid multinodular goiter underwent total thyroidectomy. Truncal ligature of the ITA was performed in 63 patients (group 1) and terminal branch ITA ligature in 63 patients (group 2). Postoperative ionized serum calcium (mmol/L) at 24hours was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 patients (1.22±0.06 vs. 1.25±0.05, P<0.05) and at 48hours (1.20±0.05 vs. 1.23±0.05, P<0.05). Mean postoperative PTH levels (pg/mL) at 4hours after thyroidectomy were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 patients (22.32±11.64 vs. 25.82±12.87, P=0.044). Mean hospital stay (hours) was higher in group 1 than in group 2 patients (87.47±41.04 vs. 70.34±24.82, P<0.05).

This study shows that terminal ligature of ITA branches during total thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter is associated with higher mean postoperative calcium and PTH levels, and shorter hospital stay. However, no significant difference in terms of permanent hypoparathyroidism was observed between the two groups.